Fancy Obsessions: Printed pants

Happy Sunday, Fancy Ladies!!!

Today I'm obsessing over my latest craze: printed pants...

I love them in silk or a flowy material, tapered or cropped...

Can't you just picture them in the spring with a coordinating blazer & silk tank OR a plain old white LS button down shirt and sexy bright colored high heel peeptoes. Or during a lusty summer evening on an island with a basic lycra tank, the highest, sexiest red sandals you own and bold statement earrings? I do, hence my latest obsession....

I know they appear challenging to wear because, for most women, their lower half is their "troubled" area (me too) and we've been told to stick to solid colors for that area. BUT I think, with the proper fit and balance AND great fancy confidence, these can work for almost everybody and every body shape.

Here's a few on the list that I need to narrow down (or do I?)

SASS & BIDE THE MAN SILK CREPE PANTS

MOTEL LEOPARD PRINT PANTS

CHEAP MONDAY SHEER PANTS

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON PALM PRINT COTTON HAREM PANTS

ASOS AFRICA PRINT TAPERED PANTS

Keep it Fancy!!

Wish Lists

Why do I even make wishlists when they change almost as soon as I write them down?

The options with these shoes are endless...... navy cigarette pants, white silk shirt, orange silk scarf; navy pencil dress; orange shift dress

I wonder if these glow in the dark...would be fab with those printed pants I post next...

These speak for themselves..I see it with a white button down shirt..or at night with a white wifebeater, my black Cinderella sandals and loads of silver statement jewelry...

I'm hoping these will help me get over not getting the Proenza Schouler sandals from Summer 2010...what do you think?

Snow go away, you are blowing my fancy image...

I been gone for a minute...

now I'm back at the jumpoff....

Hi fancy ladies...I have been busy traveling for pleasure and work (ughh)..and trying to keep my head above all of this snow.

Just wanted to check-in and say ciao!!!

a reader commented on my Spring wishlist, so I am going to update that. I've also created a Vacation/Summer wishlist..

Here we go...

SPRING LIST

- YSL Suede Tributes, black

- Zebra print espadrille pumps

- CL Fetilo mesh pumps, black

- Pearl layered necklace

- Coral necklace

- Coral blouse/sweater

- Black LS mini dress

- White patent skinny belt

- Silk blazer, blush

- Banana Republic pencil slacks, black

- Long skinny cardigan, cream BOUGHT

- Camel suede ankle boots BOUGHT

- Ponte pants, black & grey BOUGHT

- Gold statement earrings BOUGHT

- Silk blazer, cream BOUGHT

VACATION/SUMMER LIST

- New bikini

- Coral waterproof watch

- Bronze statement earrings

- Flat jeweled sandals

- White linen shorts

- Navy blue linen shorts

- House of Harlow Veronika woven wedges

- CL Jean Paul patent wedges, red

- CL leopard wedges sandals

- Nude strapless jumpsuit BOUGHT

- Sexy Camel cut out dress BOUGHT

- CL Jean Paul patent wedges, cream BOUGHT

- Camilla Skovgaard suede wedge mule, ash BOUGHT

- Gold hoops BOUGHT

- Black straw fedora hat ($15 at Payless) BOUGHT

- Blue straw fedora hat ($15 at Payless) BOUGHT

- Brown straw fedora hat ($15 at Payless) BOUGHT

It's been tough, but have also stayed within my 6 month shopping budget, while managing to pick up a few cute pieces and cross some items off these same wishlists.

I promise --I'm going to begin posting regularly soon with my outfit of the weeks, spring finds, vacation outfits (my latest obsession)..

Enjoy your Superbowl Sunday!!!

Stay fancy!

Fancy Bans

I don't do cold turkey shopping hiatuses because I work too hard not to enjoy my money. What I do do is a shopping allowance.

Every year, I prioritize my goals, set target dates and a high level budget. For example, one of my 1Q goals is to finish transitioning one of my guest rooms into a walk in closet by Feb 28. I also want to pay off my car and 1/2 of my grad school loans by June 1. So in order to do, I've set my shopping cap to $200 a month (or $1200 to June 30). If I make a big purchase, it decreases my shopping allocation for the next month (or next few months depending on size of purchase).

Another thing I do, is make lists of what I need/ want. And diligently force myself to stick to the list OR justify the item. It has to make sense and be able to immediately be part of my regular rotation to come home with me.

Fancy List for Spring 2011

• YSL Tributes, black suede

• Pearl layered necklace

• Coral necklace

• Coral blouse

• Wide Nude Patent belt

• Taupe/Beige suede thick belt

• Brown skinny lizard

• Long skinny cardigan, black

• Long skinny cardigan, cream

• White BD LS shirt @ Ann Taylor

• Nude silk blazer

• Banana Republic slacks, black
• Silk pencil patterned pants
• Silk jumpsuits!!

I don't shop anymore just to say I have stuff. I hate having unworn, unused stuff laying around...

Have y'all seen boarders??!!

Happy Fancy Year!

Fancy-fying your wardrobe

This is Part II of the series...

So after you have taking done your closet overhaul (See "Fancy begins in the closet" from Nov 23, 2010)... now you can take inventory of what you need. You need a notebook, a pen and space to assess your wardrobe to begin...

Accessories are the number one way to fancy up your wardrobe and get a big bang for your buck. But the inventory part of the process is uuber important because you have to know what you have to see how everything will fit together and determine what you need.

Let's go back to the "Keep" pile -- What will add quick, cheap-ish (in price, but not quality) and dirty additions a.k.a. "extras" that you will wear and will add color, depth and complexity to your wardrobe IS the question you should be asking yourself as you create a list.

I recently bought a cream enamel flowery bracelet (pic of a similar item below) for $20 for just that purpose: this will go great with all black, many of my dresses, jeans and a white shirt, etc.

As you go through this process, create a list of items (see why you needed pen and paper?) you need (staples/basics & extras); keep the extras vague, like red belt or "Purple ?". Also, visit some of your favorite fashion websites/blogs to find out what's trendy for the fall, so you can kill a few birds with one stone. I love these brooches to add depth to a blazer or simple dress:

Prioritize your list by staples (such as a black pump & black pants etc.-- these are priority) and nice-to-haves. Next is the fun part: Shopping. But two rules: Buy only what is your the list and TRY everything on (or you'll end up frustrated, feeling un-fancy and back here re-reading this post in a few months). Because you kept your extras list vague, "Purple ?" on the list means you can walk into a store or surf the net and see what finds you, which is what makes shopping fun. You don't have to buy everything on your list in one day/shopping trip. Spread the task over a month (or a few, depending on your budget) and then cross the item off the list once you get it. And keep your list evolving, as you try stuff on or see what is in the stores, you will add or change stuff. Also visit different neighborhood/types of stores to diversify your additions.

Good Luck and I hope this helps! Feel free to hit me up on the side for specific questions or if you want store/website recommendations.

A dopo, my fancies-in-training!

Fancy Icon - Rachel Zoe

My Fancy people...

Some of you have asked me about my inspiration, so I will periodically post "Fancy Icons".

One of my favs is Rachel Zoe. She is waaay too skinny, but I absolutely adore her way of always looking fancy, but not overdone. And unlike some other pseudo-fashionistas - she's never inappropriate/overdone or relies on the same formula all the time (unless you count 5" heels, which as a teeny fancy, I totally appreciate).

Pics of the Fancy Icon- Rachel Zoe below..

Stay fancy, Rachel!

What don't you have enough of?

Ahhh, new year!!!

Time for resolutions, reassessments and reevaluations..

In late 2010, I had been stocking up "lady of the night" pieces ( ie black leather mini dress --pic of same dress in camel below, sequined shorts --pic of shorts in silver below, etc) because I didn't think I had enough party/ lounge/socializing clothes.

How about I am realizing that most of my evenings out do not have anything to do with a club anymore, so let's just say that I am more than good in that category now! LOL

I am realizing that my gap is that I don't have enough pieces that work well from day to night. Most of my events are afterwork-- who has the lifestyle/time/energy to run home & change??

Oh, think its also time to reassess my resort/ vacation gear since I have a cruise & then a trip to South America next spring!

What don't you have enough of??

2011 is the year of the fancy!